"Rhodesian Forces" is a
video set currently being distributed by the South African based company,
Msasa Enterprises. The videos are a compilation of footage detailing the
bush war exploits of some of Rhodesia's most prestigious fighting
units.

This collection focuses on the Selous Scouts, the Special
Air Service, the Rhodesian Light Infantry, the British South Africa
Police, the Rhodesian Air Force and the Chaplain's Corps. In addition,
issues such as National Security receive attention. Some footage is actual
live footage or news material whilst re-enacted scenes have also been
included. The quality of the actual video film and sound is astounding and
the producers have obviously gone to great lengths to technically
re-master the original celluloid transcripts.

The producers of
"Rhodesian Forces" have succeeded admirably in conveying both the military
and the civilian side of war. Although the content is essentially
concerned with the Security Forces, the total nature of the war in
Rhodesia comes through very strongly. One is afforded more than a brief
glimpse of Rhodesian society at the height of the war and learns to
appreciate the magnitude of the role played by the military and the war in
general, in peoples' everyday lives. By the late 1970's the "bush" war was
consuming the entire country. Rhodesian Forces Parts One and Two do not
portray the sense of despair and war weariness that must have been
prevalent throughout the entire Rhodesian population. With the exception
perhaps of the feature on the Rhodesian Corps of Chaplains, the commentary
is always upbeat and optimistic. This is largely to be expected due to the
nature of the footageincluded in this compilation. In short this is a
video collection which is aimed at former Rhodesians and military
enthusiasts wherever they may be. For those who fought for Rhodesia, these
videos will provide a nostalgic and powerful record of the past. For the
military enthusiast, they provide a rare glimpse into the tactics, terrain
and sub-culture of the Rhodesian Security Forces.

Many of the
units featured in this series have faded into the annals of history but
their legends still shine brightly - for the special forces enthusiast
"Rhodesian Forces" is a veritable feast - the SAS, Selous Scouts and the
Fireforce Commandos of the Rhodesian Light Infantry are all here. Viewers
are treated to an expos頯f their training regimes, weaponry and bush
tactics. A point of note here is what Lt Col Ron Reid-Daly refers to as
"that baboon" in his book - "Selous Scouts - Top Secret War." Well that
baboon, or another one surprisingly similar, is a star attraction in the
Pamwe Chete portion of this video - I found it revolting but aspiring bush
battlers would probably disagree!

It is essential to point out that
not everyone is going to have an equal appreciation for the material on
these cassettes. The Rhodesian bush war was a bloody and tragic civil war.
There will never be one point of view on the war or even agreement on the
issues that faced Rhodesia after her Unilateral Declaration of
Independence. Potential viewers need to take note of the fact that these
tapes do contain some very disturbing and rather violent images. It is an
acknowledged fact that the Rhodesian government believed that by airing
"body counts" after Security Force operations it would boost the morale of
Rhodesia's population, particularly the supporters of the Rhodesian Front.
As a consequence the television news footage is often far more explicit
than one would have expected.

Having said that I found these videos
fascinating. From the point of view of someone who is student of history
and a military enthusiast, they were informative, entertaining and
provided a hefty "blast from the past". Few people today can imagine what
Rhodesia must have been like, indeed, there are millions of those who are
unaware of the fact that a country called Rhodesia ever even existed.
These videos will give you a vivid idea, even the music if fitting and
thoughtfully rounded off with a Clem Tholet song at the end. For those who
have read extensively on the bush war and Southern African history, these
videos provide a fascinating insight into Zimbabwean history. In some
instances I had the rather eerie sensation of seeing ordinary people whose
photographs I had seen in books actually gaining life on celluloid. The
point is that audio-visual mediums offer one something completely
different to that which books offer. I would recommend that anyone who
wants to know more about Rhodesia and experience something of its
atmosphere at during the turbulent UDI years, should make an effort to
obtain a set of "Rhodesian Forces".